Back in 1841, the good folks of London erected a fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, designed for a statue of the late king, William IV. Problem was, they ran out of money, and the statue was never built.
For the past few years, the site has therefore hosted various works of modern art, selected in open competition. The most recent work to be selected is by the quite brilliant Anthony Gormley. His piece of ‘art’ is that for 100 days, the plinth will be occupied by members of the public for one hour each. According to Gormley:
‘Through elevation onto the plinth and removal from common ground, the subjective living body becomes both representation and representative, encouraging consideration of diversity, vulnerability and the individual in contemporary society’.
So here’s the plan. When they invite people to apply for their sixty minutes of fame, Haron and I will be proposing to share the plinth. I’ll be dressing in Headmaster’s gown and mortar board, carrying a traditional crook-handled cane. She’ll be in school uniform, and will spend the hour touching her toes. (Whether I’ll actually be able to thrash her non-stop for an hour, no doubt urged on by the baying crowd, presumably depends on the rules they impose and the presence – or otherwise – of the police!).
After all, kink is an example of ‘diversity’. A girl being punished must be showing ‘vulnerability’. And the proposal certainly classes as ‘individual’. Readers are encouraged to submit their own applications, along similar lines!
A brilliant plan. Let us know when your hour is approaching and we shall flock to see, bringing along the BBC to film it for posterity and for those too far away to visit… I can’t wait
Are we allowed to propose that Haron pushes Abel off the plinth? Or are you meant to stay on it the whole time?
Maybe you guys could have those giant cotton bud things and fight on the plinth Gladiator style? My moneys on Haron….
Funny that, as soon as I read about the plans for the fourth plinth, I too had images of spankings being enacted upon it! Everyone knows you have to suffer for your art, after all 😉
Abel, I believe that Smudge and Evie are volunteering to allow you to have three hours of fame.
I’m going to apply too, but I’ve thought of nothing to do up there – I shall just sit and look around me or something.
Knowing my luck, between 3 and 4 am on a wet and windy December morning…
Splendid idea.
But it says 1 person, so it will have to be 1 hour cornertime. Get up, get naked, kneel down, hands up high. Dont move. Somebody get it on disk.